Opel and ADAC: Leading the Charge in Rally Innovation
In 2021, Opel and the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) embarked on a unique partnership in the world of rallying, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup.
The hugely successful collaboration has not only set new standards in the sport but has furthered talent development and innovation in the industry.
The ADAC Opel Rally Cup, and its electric counterpart, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe," represents a ground-breaking rally initiative - the world's first electric rally one-make cup.
Pioneering electric rallying
The partnership between Opel and ADAC has seen nearly 140 participants from 22 nations compete in various rounds of their rally cups.
The inaugural champion of the electric Rally Cup, Laurent Pellier, demonstrated the success of this initiative by securing a title in the Junior European Championship (JERC) for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team in 2022.
Meanwhile, the innovative Corsa Rally Electric car with a 100 kW (136 hp) battery-electric engine represents this shift in direction, aiding a seamless transition from traditional to electric rallying to further the partners' commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
Commitment to talent development
A cornerstone of the Opel and ADAC partnership is their dedication to nurturing new rally talent. Since the inception of the rally cups in 2013, standout drivers have been offered opportunities to advance to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team.
As Opel works drivers, these individuals compete in the Junior European Rally Championship (JERC), gaining valuable experience and honing their skills on an international platform. To date, 11 drivers have successfully transitioned to the international rally stage with Opel.
Opel and ADAC's focus on talent development has borne impressive results. Notable drivers such as Emil Bergkvist (Sweden, 2015), Marijan Griebel (Germany, 2016), Chris Ingram (Great Britain, 2017), and Mārtiņš Sesks (Latvia, 2018) have all claimed European championship titles in consecutive years. Italian driver Tamara Molinaro also secured the women's category title in the 2017 JERC season.
Recent achievements and future prospects
Calle Carlberg (Sweden) and Timo Schulz (Germany), the champions of the 2022 and 2023 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, are currently competing in the JERC season.
The success in securing four podium finishes in the first four rallies is a testament to the effectiveness of the Opel and ADAC talent development program. Carlberg, in particular, is a strong contender for the overall European Championship title, demonstrating the potential for further achievements.
Former cup drivers continue to excel in various championships. Emil Bergkvist and Tom Kristensson claimed Junior World Championship titles in 2018 and 2020, respectively, while Chris Ingram became the European Rally Champion in 2019.
Marijan Griebel has achieved significant success, adding the 2017 U28 European Championship title to his accomplishments and securing the German Rally Championship title three times. Fabian Kreim, another ex-Opel junior, also boasts three German Rally Championship titles.
The impact on German rallying
Opel and ADAC's influence extends to the German rally scene, with numerous drivers who began their careers in the one-make cups now dominating the competition.
Among the top 15 in the current German Rally Championship (DRM) standings, six drivers, including Marijan Griebel and Julius Tannert, have roots in Opel's rallying programs.
A vision for the future
Jörg Schrott, who heads Opel Motorsport, emphasises the importance of nurturing young talent within the organisation, stating:
"Promoting talent is extremely important at Opel. The ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team's record with five titles in the Junior European Championship is outstanding."
He also notes that as part of the Stellantis family, Opel provides top talents with opportunities in higher categories of rallying.
As the partnership between Opel and ADAC continues, the shared commitment to developing young talent and pioneering innovations in rallying remains unwavering.
The impressive achievements since 2013 and the introduction of the electric rally cup in 2021 highlight Opel's dedication to shaping the future of German rallying and supporting the next generation of rally champions.
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